Pasta and pizza are both amazing in their own right – but what if you can’t decide between the two when ordering at an Italian restaurant? Well, luckily for Mancs there’s Lucky Mama’s – an Italian spot in Manchester that combines the two dishes and it’s a sensational carb creation.
Starting out from a food truck in Eccles, Lucky Mama’s opened their own restaurant in Chorlton in 2022, emerging stronger from the global pandemic. With word spreading of their signature dishes, the duo behind Lucky Mama’s, Mamadou and Gaby, have seen great success, so much so they opened a second site in Monton this year, close to where it all began. Talk about a full circle moment.
Possibly one of the things that sets Lucky Mama’s apart from other Italian restaurants in Manchester besides its pastel pink sign and interior is their pizza bowls filled with pasta. The spot on Barlow Moor Road and Monton Road has created a pasta-on-pizza revolution as you simply pick your favourite fresh pasta dish off the menu and it’s served in a crisp pizza dough base shaped like a bowl. Some may call it carb overload, but we call it carb genius and deliciousness.
Choose from the likes cacio e pepe, mac ‘n’ cheese or old school beef ragú as well as classics like pomodoro (tomato sauce), arrabiatta or creamy alfredo. There’s even a unique pasta dish known as rasta pasta which consists of Jerk infused creamy parmesan sauce with sautéed mixed peppers and red onions. Fancy pimping up your pizza pasta bowl? You can even add a whole ball of burrata for the ultimate Italian experience and extra creaminess.
But that’s not all you’ll find on the menu at Lucky Mama’s… The restaurant also specialises in a more traditional recipe in the form of Roman-style squared pizzas. Unlike your round Neapolitan pizza, the ones at Lucky Mama’s are inspired by pizza al taglio (by the cut) typically found in Rome and these feature classic toppings like simple margarita, alongside more elaborate combinations such as Mama’s Favourite with tuna, red onions, black olives and garlic oil.
Other noteworthy Roman-style pizzas on the menu include Diavola (spicy ‘nduja sausage, pepperoni and red chillies), Capra (tomato sauce, goat’s cheese, mozzarella fior di latte, caramelised onion, sweet drop red peppers and spinach with a drizzle of garlic or chilli oil) and Patatosa (a white pizza with garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes, fior di latte mozzarella and parmesan cheese). You’ll also find garlic bread with copious amounts of garlic and herb butter made with the signature square dough on the menu too.
Meanwhile, Lucky Mama’s also does some delicious desserts. Indulge in the Lucky Dough Balls – a sweet take on Mama’s dough with flavours like Kinder cream and Nutella drizzle; pistachio cream and white chocolate drizzle; or cinnamon and sugar. And be sure to look out for their cannoli too as these are hard to pass up!
📍Lucky Mama’s, 565 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 8AE | 217 Monton Rd, Eccles, M30 9PN.
🕒 Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 4pm-10pm.
🍽️ The Chorlton restaurant is walk-ins only but you can book a collection here. The Monton restaurant is takeaway only.